U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathan C. Byrnes
Senior Airman John Luke Wright (left), Staff Sgt. Eric McClendon (middle) and Senior Airman Kelly Sifers (right), all weapons technician specialists from the 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Viper Aircraft Maintenance Unit, pick up a munition during a weapons load competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 8. Weapons load competitions are done quarterly and are used to evaluate load crews for their use of checklists, safety and overall speed.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika
A weapons load crew from Raptor Aircraft Maintenance Unit prepares to load a munition onto an F-22 Raptor during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 8. The competitions gives weapons loaders throughout the 57th Maintenance Group the opportunity to display their war-fighting skills to peers and superiors.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jake Carter
Airmen from 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Thunder Aircraft Maintenance Unit, participate in a load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 8. Weapons load crew competitions test each participant’s ability to load ordnance onto their assigned aircraft in a safe, efficient and correct manner.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathan C. Byrnes
Senior Airman Kelly Sifers (left) and Staff Sgt. Eric McClendon, both weapons technician specialists from the 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Viper AMU, prepare to load munitions on a F-16 Fighting Falcon, during a weapons load competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan 8. Load crews are evaluated for use of the checklist, safety, and overall speed.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika
Senior Airman Jarred Eads, Tomahawk Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, inspects his crew’s tool kit during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 8. Crews are inspected on their dress and appearance, orderliness of their tool boxes, the weapons load, and a written test to determine the 57th Maintenance Group’s best weapons load crew of the quarter or year.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jake Carter
Staff Sgt. Matthew Runnels, 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Thunder Aircraft Maintenance Unit member, guides a munition to his respective aircraft during a load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 8. During the competition, each weapons load crew member has a set of tasks to carry out and work in teams of three to properly load weapons on an aircraft.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika
Senior Airman Michael Flatt, Strike Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, prepares an F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft to be loaded with munitions during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 8. In addition to recognizing superior performers, load crew competitions also help keep weapons loaders’ skills sharp and ready for real-world situations.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika
Senior Airman Jazmine Eshelman receives assistance from Staff Sgt. William Mendez in preparing an F-22 Raptor to be loaded with a munition during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 8. Eshelman and Mendez are weapons loaders assigned to Raptor Aircraft Maintenance Unit.
